[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THURMOND (for himself, Mr. Faircloth, Mr. Helms, Mr. 
        Hutchinson, Mr. Kempthorne, Mr. Shelby, and Mr. Sessions):
  S. 223. A bill to prohibit the expenditure of Federal funds on 
activities by Federal agencies to encourage labor union membership, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.


                   LABOR UNION MEMBERSHIP LEGISLATION

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a very 
important piece of legislation that would affect every American 
taxpayer. This measure would prohibit Federal funds from being used to 
encourage labor union membership.

  Mr. President, I was shocked to learn that the Department of Labor 
has published and distributed brochures which state, If you don't have 
a union, you may want to consider joining an existing union or working 
with others to start one. These brochures are designed to help American 
workers know their rights when it comes to various forms of 
discrimination. I recognize the importance of these brochures, but I 
firmly believe that it is not the responsibility of the Federal 
Government to encourage or discourage labor union membership in any 
form. Organized labor has the resources and the manpower to do their 
own recruiting. They certainly should not be receiving free 
solicitation at the expense of the American taxpayer.
  The legislation that I am introducing today specifically prohibits 
any Federal agency from using Federal funds for programs, seminars, 
staff positions, or publications which would compel, instruct, 
encourage, urge, or persuade individuals to join labor unions. As I 
stated before, it simply is not the responsibility of the Federal 
Government to encourage union membership. The American taxpayer should 
not bear the burden of promoting labor unions.
  My distinguished colleagues, Senators Faircloth, Helms, Hutchinson, 
Kempthorne, Shelby, and Sessions, join me as original cosponsors of 
this measure that I send to the desk. I invite our other colleagues to 
join us in support of this important legislation.
                                 ______